Apple M5 Max (18-core) vs Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
92Single-core73.6
96.6Multi-core64
93.3Efficiencyspec-based93.3
—iGPU75.6
61.9Platformspec-based62.2
6 spec wins — Apple M5 Max (18-core)2 spec wins — Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
InnoReviews verdict
Apple M5 Max (18-core) wins this laptop processor face-off, 89 to 71.7, pulling ahead mainly in multi-core (+33) and single-core (+18). Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 still makes sense if its price or standout specs fit your needs better.
Which would you pick?
Key differences
Reasons to pick the Apple M5 Max (18-core)
- Stronger single-core score: 92 vs 74
- Stronger multi-core score: 97 vs 64
- 100% higher Efficiency cores: 12 vs 6
- 52% higher PassMark: 57,677 vs 37,821
- 44% higher Geekbench 6 (multi): 29,256 vs 20,325
Reasons to pick the Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100
- 100% higher Performance cores: 12 vs 6
General
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Announced | 2026 | 2025 |
| Process | 3 nm | 3 nm |
Cores & Clocks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Cores | 18 | 18 |
| Performance cores | 6 | 12+100% |
| Efficiency cores | 12+100% | 6 |
| Threads | 18 | 18 |
| Boost clock | 4.6 GHz | 4.7 GHz+2% |
| L3 cache | 24 MB | — |
Integrated GPU
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| iGPU | Apple 40-core GPU | Qualcomm Adreno X2-90 |
| iGPU clock | — | 1,700 MHz |
Memory
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Memory support | LPDDR5X-9600 | LPDDR5x-9523 |
| Max memory | 128 GB | 128 GB |
Benchmarks
| Spec | Apple M5 Max (18-core) | Qualcomm Snapdragon X2 Elite X2E-88-100 |
|---|---|---|
| Geekbench 6 (single) | 4,322+13%Top 2% | 3,814Top 6% |
| Geekbench 6 (multi) | 29,256+44%Top 1% | 20,325Top 7% |
| Cinebench R23 (single) | — | 1,629Bottom 36% |
| Cinebench R23 (multi) | — | 16,808Top 33% |
| PassMark | 57,677+52%Top 2% | 37,821Top 13% |
| PassMark (single thread) | 5,964+33%Top 2% | 4,470Top 11% |
| 3DMark Time Spy Graphics (iGPU) | — | 3,666Top 15% |
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